Machine for shaping shoe uppers



2mm ill F. N. LA CHAPELLE MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Emu 117, 3935.

Filed Aug. 27, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 M/ENTUA X WK 3 Ma MA) 1935 F. N. LA CHAPELLE MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed Aug 27, 1934 5 Sheetse$heet 2 mmx ' VE/VTDFZ' QM 11 AW W 19335 F. N. LA CHAPELLE 232435371 MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPFERS Filed Aug. 27, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .WWEA/TUQ' r" M, PA

Q 2 mix m 9 11935 F. N. LA CHAPELLE I fi v MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed Aug. 27, 1934 5 Sh86t$-$h69t 4 N/ENTUR' W W351 11935 F. N. LA CHAPELLE J MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed Aug. 27, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHGE UPPERS Application August 2'7, 1934, Serial No. 741,536

52 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of shoes and more particularly to upper-shaping means. The invention is herein illustrated in its application to means for press- 6 ing the heel .portion of a shoe upper into conformity to an upper-shaping form in the lasting of the heel end of a shoe; but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to means for operating upon that particular portion of a 10 shoe nor to machines for lasting shoes.

In some machines used in the manufacture of shoes, pressure is applied to an upper at various localities in order to make it conform to the shape of a last or other form having substantially the shape that the finished shoe will have and also to cooperate with other means for shaping the upper with reference to the bottom surface of the form. In some lasting machines, for example, such pressure is commonly applied to the toe and/or heel portions of the upper on a form in order to shape these portions of the upper into conformity to the shape of the form and, especially at the heel end, to maintain the upper in a proper position relatively to the form against the tendency of the lasting wipers to pull the upper excessively about the corner of the form bottom.

It is an object of this invention to render more effective the operation of such pressing means by 30 causing its action to be directed toward the upper about the curved end portion of the form more uniformly and advantageously than has been possible heretofore. In one aspect the invention accordingly provides, in combination with a support for an upper-shaping form, means for pressing an upper on the form thereagainst comprising a plurality of elements the ends of which form a pressing surface extending continuously about an end portion of the upper heightwise and longitudinally thereof, the pressing elements being mounted for movement relatively to each other in directions extending directly toward and away from the respective portions of the upper opposite thereto, and means for relatively moving said pressing means and form toward each other thereby to cause the pressing elements to be moved with respect to each other into conformity to the shape of the form and to press the upper against the form.

As herein illustrated, the relatively movable elements of the pressing means are constituted by rods arranged in parallel, contiguous relation to one another, in rows extending about the heel end of the upper from one side to the other, and in columns extending heightwise substantial- 1y from the bottom edge of the form to the top edge of the upper, the ends of the rods being directed toward the upper. By the use of such pressing means insurance is afforded that pressure will be effectively distributed over the dif- 5 ferent portions of the upper, having regard both to the uniformity of its application as to amount and direction and also to the continuity of its application heightwise and peripherally of the upper.

In View of the desirability of minimizing the work of the operator in substituting an upper to be treated for one already operated upon, it is necessary to arrange the pressing means so as to allow the relative movement between it and 15 the form, for the purpose of pressing the upper and also for separating the pressing means from the upper, to be readily effected and yet cause the pressing elements to act as described above when in their operative position. To this end and in accordance with another feature of the invention, the pressing means is constituted, as herein illustrated, by plural pressing devices one of which, disposed opposite to the heel end face of the form, has pressing elements movable relatively to each other longitudinally of the form into conformity to the normal shape of a part of the heel portion of the upper in response to pressure between the form and device, and others of which are disposed one at each side of the form and 80 are mounted for movement laterally thereof, each of the last-mentioned pressing devices having a plurality of elements mounted for movement relatively to each other laterally of the form into conformity to the contour of the side of the heel por- 35 tion of the upper extending forwardly thereof from the area engaged by the elements of the first-mentioned device.

Continunity at the junction of the pressing surfaces of the pressing devices at the end and 40 sides of the form is assured, in accordance with another feature of the invention, by mounting the pressing devices which move laterally of the form at the sides thereof to swing about axes so situated that the ends of the rods in the outermost columns of the pressing device at the end of the form are contiguous to the ends of the rods in the adjacent columns of the pressing devices at the sides of the form when the latter pressing devices are in their operative positions, This construction, while allowing the pressing devices to be moved away from one another as well as from the form to facilitate the substitution of a Work-piece to be treated for one already operated upon, affords a pressing sur- 55 face of rod ends which is uninterrupted between the different pressing devices and which extends substantially continuously about the heel end of the form from one side to the other and from the edge of the shoe bottom a substantial distance heightwise of the shoe when the pressing members are in their operative positions.

Pressing means of the above character may have application in a lasting machine of the type illustrated herein employing wipers for wiping the marginal portion of the heel end of the upper over an insole on a last as an uppershaping form, a heel band for embracing the heel end of the upper below the wipers, and a shoe support movable to carry the last and its shoe materials toward the heel band and wipers; but it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any particular combination of these features. However, in such a case it is desirable, not only firmly to shape the upper against the last or form, as pointed out above, but also to prevent the last from being moved out of its proper relation to the field of action of the wipers by the movement of the wipers themselves.

Accordingly, the invention further provides a novel construction including, with a pressing means of the character referred to above, compressible means against the resistance of which the movable elements of the pressing means yield relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted toward them by the last, the compressible means and last being mounted for relative movement successively to cause the elements to yield relatively to each other into conformity to the shape of the last and then to be urged with equal pressures toward the last, and means for positioning the compressible means so that it is substantially incompressible at the end of the relative movement between it and the last. Thus, at the end of the relative movement between the last and the compressible means, which movement is finished before the wiping operation is begun, the upper, over different-portions of its entire area acted upon by the pressing members,

is pressed against the last by a uniform and substantially unyielding force; and the last, likewise,.is substantially positively restrained against movement either. laterally or longitudinally thereof since the compressible means which backs up the pressing elements has been reduced to a rigid or solid condition and hence effects a substantially positive gripping action on the last. It has been found that the compressible means disclosed herein when made as a cushion of sponge rubber acts satisfactorily in the above-described manner, but the invention comprehends the use of any suitable material which, after being compressed to a certain extent, prevents further reduction in volume regardless of the amount of pressure applied to it.

Preliminary to the wiping operation, in the use of a machine of the type in which the invention is illustrated as embodied, the shoe support and that pressing member opposite to the heel end of thelast are relatively moved lengthwise of the last, so as to cause the heel band closely to embrace the extreme end of the upper, until the above-mentioned compressible cushion in this pressing member has become substantially solid or rigid. Thus, by positioning the compressible cushion so as to define a limit to the yield of the pressing elements of the pressing member, the

. position of the last longitudinally thereof can be determined with reference to the field of action last and also for applying an especially effective 5 pressure throughout an area including the back seam of the upper so as to make this portion of the upper conform as closely as possible to the contour of the last and to remove irregularities in the surface of the upper resulting from the back seam stitching. To this end, the illustrated machine includes, in combination with upper-pressing means comprising members mounted for movement relatively to each other longitudinally of the last into conformity to the shape of its heel end in response to pressure exerted against it by the upper, an abutment disposed in predetermined relation to the wipers for positioning the shoe With respect to the field of action of the wipers. As illustrated, this abutment is associated with the pressing member at the heel end of the last and is constituted by a rigid but adjustable member disposed opposite to the back seam area of the upper. Hence, by

adjusting the above-mentioned rigid member longitudinally of the last, the position of the last and upper materials thereon relatively to the path of travel of the wipers longitudinally of the last is positively determined. Preferably, in the operation of the illustrated machine, the means for positioning the compressible cushion referred to above which backs up the relatively yieldable pressing elements is so adjusted with reference to the rigid abutment as to cause the latter to receive pressure from the upper just as Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a part of a machine in which the invention is illustrated as embodied, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the upper-forming mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, the position of a shoe under pressure being indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section along the line III-III of Fig. 2, showing parts of the upper-forming mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of part of the upper-forming mechanism represented in Fig. 2 but in a position in which it is adapted to receive a shoe;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective with parts in section, illustrating on an enlarged scale a portion of the upper-forming mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5 in which the line VIVI indicates the location of the section of the parts shown in section in this figure;

Fig. 7 is a view in elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5 with a part of the casing broken away and with the upper-forming mechanism in substantially the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating in exploded relation structure for adjusting the upper-shaping form; and

Fig. 9 is a view in perspective of a part associated with the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 8.

The invention is illustrated herein as embodied in a bed-lasting machine of a well-known type, features of the general organization of which are disclosed in various prior United States Letters Patent, including Letters Patent No. 1,018,477, granted on February 27, 1912, and Letters Patent No. 1,417,493, granted on May 30, 1922, both in the name of Matthias Brock. Only such features, therefore, of the general organization as it is necessary to refer to for an understanding of this invention are herein shown and will be described in detail.

Machines of this type include means for lasting both the toe and heel ends of a shoe, but since the invention is exemplified herein with reference only to the heel-end portion of the shoe, it is unnecessary to illustrate or to describe the toe- 1 lasting means. The heel-lasting mechanism includes a horizontal yoke I0 mounted to swing in' a horizontal plane about a stud (not shown) on the frame to allow the mechanism to be properly adjusted for operating on right and left shoes, as illustrated and explained in the aforesaid Letters Patent. Supported in the yoke ID for movement in directions lengthwise of the shoe is a heel-head carriage I2 which occupies initially a position near the outer end of the yoke HI and is moved by the operator from that position to an operative position in which it is retained by a latch I 4 which engages a plate I6 on the yoke. Pivoted at l 7 on the carriage I2 is a heel head 18 which supports the heel-lasting instrumentalities and which is adjustable about theaxis at I! extending laterally of the shoe by a hand crank 20. Mounted on the head I8 is a holder 22 which indirectly supports a heel band 24 for embracing the upper about the heel end of a last and wipers 26 for wiping the margin of the upper inwardly over the bottom of the last. Theheel band 24 may be made of stiff leather, such as sole leather, and it is herein shown as shaped to extend around the end and along the sides of the heel-end portion of the upper and also to conform substantially to the heightwise contour of this portion of the last, although it is sufficiently flexible to permit it to be both closed and opened widthwise of the last, and to conform under pressure to variations in the contours of right and left lasts as well as lasts of diiferent sizes. The holder 22 has a cylindrical extension 28 (Fig. 3) mounted in a bearing in the head I8 to turn about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe and is adjustable about this axis by means of a hand crank 30. The wipers 26, which are carried by cam plates 3| slidingly mounted at the upper part of the holder 22, are advanced and closed over the heel-seat portion of the shoe by mechanism including a plunger 32 operated by a hand lever 34 pivoted at its rear end on a link 36 carried by the head I8. Over the cam plates 3| is a cover plate 38.

The last and shoe are supported for the lasting operation at the toe end on a rest 39 and at the heel end on a last pin G0 carried by a slide 52 vertically movable in one arm of a U-shaped support 44 (Fig. 1), the other arm of which has a horizontal extension 46 mounted to slide in a rectilinear path in a guideway in the carriage l2. The extension 46 has rack teeth 48 engaged by a pinion 50 on a shaft 52 mounted in bearings in the carriage 12, the shaft having fixed thereon a hand wheel 54. By means of this hand wheel, after the approximate proper relative heightwise .positioning of the shoe and the heel band 24 has been effected by a treadle in a well-known manner and as described in the above noted Letters Patent, and after the carriage 12 has been moved to its operating position so as to cause the latch M to overlie the plate It as illustrated in Fig. 1, the operator imparts to the shoe support movement to carry the shoe lengthwise into position for its heel end to be embraced by the heel band Hand to force its heel-end face firmly against the heel hand. To hold the shoe support against return movement, a latch member 56 is provided for engaging teeth (not shown) on the rear side of the hand wheel 5 In order to cause the shoe upper to be pressed into conformity to the shape of the last not only at the end of the heel portion but also at the sides thereof, pressure is imparted to the heel band continuously from each end of the heel band near the junction of the shank and the heel portion around the heel end. Such pressure is imparted to the heel band by connections operated by a plunger 58 which is mounted in the frame of the machine to reciprocate vertically and which is power operated by means actuated by the operator by pressing a knee pad (not shown) at the front of the machine. The plunger 58 operates a bell crank pivoted at 6%] in a bracket 62 fixed on the yoke 10, one arm of which bell crank carries a roll 54 which is engaged by the head of the plunger 58. The other arm 66 of the bell crank engages a rod 68 which is mounted to slide in the bracket 62 and is urged toward the left (Fig. 1) by a spring '19. The end of the rod 68 remote from the arm abuts against the end of an arm 72 which is fixed to a shaft 74 rotatably mounted in the heel-head carriage i2.

The construction thus far briefly outlined is substantially like what has been used heretofore other end of which is received in a sperical cavity in a lug 8G or 82, these lugs extending downwardly from pressing devices 84 and 86 respectively. The pressing devices 84 and 86 are mounted to swing laterally of the shoe about studs 83 and 85 (Fig. 5)

respectively fixed in the holder 22 so as to cause i the heel hand 24 to be pressed directly against the upper at the sides of the heel portion of the shoe. Acting upon the heel band over its area at the heel end of the upper not supported by the pressing devices 8 5 and 86 is another pressing device or abutment 88 which resists the rearwardly directed force of the shoe imparted by the shoe support as and which can be adjusted in the holder 22 longitudinally of the shoe. The studs 83 and 85 are so positioned relatively to the pressing device 83 that the pressing devices 84 and 86, when swung into their pressing positions, are substantially contiguous to the pressing device 88 but do not interfere with it.

In lasting the heel end of the shoe, it is necessary that sufficient pressure be applied to the heel band to resist the tendency of the wipers 25, in being operated to wipe the margin of the upper around the last corner, to set up undue tension in the upper heightwise thereof which might cause the contour of that edge which is adjacent to the ankle of the wearer to be distorted. It is desirable at the same time to apply pressure to the upper not only sufficient in degree to effect the above result but also well enough distributed over the area of the heel band to insure that the upper will be shaped in conformity to the last throughout substantially its heightwise extent entirely about the heel end of the last. To apply such pressure the pressing devices 04, 86 and 88 are constructed to support groups of axially yielding members or rods in such number that when the pressing devices are in their operative positions they provide a stepped supporting surface for the heel band 24 which is substantially continuous throughout its heightwise and peripheral extent. Moreover, the rods referred to above are mounted so as to yield to such an extent as to compensate for the difference between the shape of right and left lasts whereby the machine can be used to operate upon right and left uppers successively if necessary without necessitating any interruption in the operation of the machine for the purpose of making adjustments or changing the operating instrumentalities.

there is sufficient clearance to allow the rods to move axially in response to pressure exerted against their ends by the heel band 24. It is desirable that the field of action of the wipers 25, considered in a direction normal to the corner of the last and parallel to the last bottom, be limited lest the accumulation of folded edge portions of upper parts which occurs inwardly of the edge of the last bottom prevent their proper operation. To this end provision is made in the illustrated machine for positively limiting the movement of the shoe longitudinally thereof toward the wipers under the influence of the pressure exerted by the shoe support 44. This means, as herein illustrated, is constituted by an abutment 96 which is adjustably mounted to slide in the shell 90 longitudinally of the last under the cover plate 94 and centrally with respect to the rods 92. The end face of the abutment 90 adjacent to the heel band 24 is curved heightwise and widthwise in conformity to the normal shape of the portion of the heel band opposite to the back seam area of the upper and the abutment has formed therein a bore 98 (Fig. 3) adapted to receive a pin I the head of which is secured to the rearmost portion of the heel band 24. The position of the heel band is thus controlled laterally but can change longitudinally with respect to the abutment 96 in response to pressure exerted by the shoe. The abutment 96, however, positively limits the rearward movement of the shoe with respect to the wipers 26 so as to insure the proper range of their action. Such adjustment of the abutment 96 as may be required by different shapes of shoes in order properly to limit their movement toward the wipers when presented to the machine, is effected by a rod I02 having threaded engagement with the abutment and rotatably mounted in the extension 28 of the holder 22 but prevented from moving lengthwise. The heel band 24 is supported at its lower edge below the pin I00 by 2.

slide I04 mounted to slide in a channel in the shell 90, which channel is covered by a plate I05. A portion of the heel band 24, where it is held by the slide I04 is chamfered as indicated in Fig. 3 to provide clearance between the slide I04 and the shoe upper when held in engagement with the heel band, and a secure connection between the latter and the slide is maintained by a crescent-shaped wedge I03which is attached to the rearmost end of the heel band and is received between bifurcations at the end of the slide I04.

To insure against pressure being exerted by the heel band against the shoe upper locally in relatively small areas, the rods 92, while constrained against lateral or heightwise movement, are allowed to yield axially a predetermined amount by a yielding cushion IIO disposed within the cavity of the shell 90 behind the rearmost ends of the rods. This cushion may conveniently be made of a partially compressible material, such as sponge rubber for example, which, when confined after being compressed to a certain extent, becomes substantially solid or rigid and resists further compression regardless of the amount of pressure applied to it. The shape of the cushion H0 at the side adjacent to the rods 92, all of which are of substantially the same length, is made to conform heightwise and widthwise substantially, when the cushion is in its uncompressed state, to the normal curvature of that surface of the heel band which is engaged by the pins 02, and the cushion is confined against displacement or expansion rearwardly by a support II2 which is capable of adjustment toward and away from the rods 02. The support I I2 has formed on its rearmost side spaced wedge surfaces I M (Fig. 8) which are engaged by similar surfaces |I6 on an adjustable wedge member I I0, the surfaces I I4 and I I6 being inclined with respect to the direction of adjustment of the wedge member. The wedge member is supported against pressure of the support II! by the rearmost side of the shell 00 and is held in any desired position of adjustment by a nut I20 which is threaded on the shank of the member H8 and by means of which the vertical position of the wedge member in the shell 90, and hence the longitudinal adjustment of the support I I2, can be controlled so as to set up any desired degree of resistance to movement of the rods 92 when a shoe is moved so as to force the heel band firmly against the abutment 96. Moreover, if it is desired rigidly to limit rearward movement of the last by the rods 92 themselves without the assistance of the abutment 06 for the purpose of definitely positioning the last with regard to the travel of the wipers 25, the support I I 2 can also be so adjusted as to cause the yielding movement of the rods 92 to be positively limited at any desired point. Such adjustment is so made that the compressible cushion H0 is rendered substantially solid or rigid when the proper relative position of the upper and the wipers 26 has been obtained.

The heel band 24, while allowed to move, at its rearward portion, only longitudinally of the shoe,

is mounted at its forward ends on the pressing devices 84 and 86 so as to have limited movement both laterally and longitudinally of the shoe, to facilitateits being pressed evenly against the upper, but not heightwise thereof, to insure against interference with the wipers 26. Since the connections between the heel band and the pressing devices 84 and 86 are similar in both instances, they will be described below with reference only to the pressing device 84. A hinge member I22, which is riveted to an end of the heel band 24, is mounted on a stud I 24, the latter being received in a slot I28 extending longitudinally of the last in a slide l2? so as to allow the heel band certain freedom of movement in accommodating itself to a shoe upper held thereagainst. A spring I28, one end of which is fixed to the slide I27, bears at its other end against the member I22 so as to urge the heel band it toward the pressing device 88. The slide I2? is mounted for limited movement with respect to the pressing device 84 laterally or" the shoe to insure against flexing the heel band excessively when the pressing devices 84 and 88 are separated. The slide I2? is mounted in a boss I29 extending from the end of the pressing device 8 3, the boss being bifurcated to receive a flattened portion I38 of the slide I21, thereby to prevent it from being rotated. A collar I32 and a shoulder l34 on the slide I2! cooperate with opposite extremities of the boss I29 to limit the sliding movement of the slide I21.

The pressing devices which act at the sides of the lasted shoe and designated generally as 84 and 85 are substantially similar, and for convenience of description their details will be described below with reference to the pressing device 86, it being understood that the details to be referred to specifically are duplicated in the pressing device 34. Each of the pressing devices 84 and 86 comprises a casing 536 having a cavity of substantially the height of the heel band 2 5 and extending longitudinally substantially from the forward end of the heel band to the portion thereof opposite to the pressing device 88, this cavity at the side adjacent to the heel band being substantially filled by two groups of axially yieldable slides or rods, one group l88 of which is disposed at an angle to and is segregated from the other group I48, and both groups being so arranged, as will be described hereinafter, that the ends of the rods therein adjacent to the heel band constitute a substantially continuous support for the heel band extending from substantially its top edge well toward its bottom edge, The pressing devices 84 and 85, moreover, are also so designed with regard to the proximity of the adjacent rods in the groups I48 and 92 and the axes 83 and 85 aboutv which the pressing devices 84 and 88, respectively, can be swung that when the pressing devices 8 3 and 88 are in their operative or shoe-pressing positions, such for example as illustrated in Fig. 2, there is substantially no interruption in the support of the heel band 2d furnished by the rods around its entire end portion. The rods I38 and I48 are assembled in series both in horizontal rows and vertical columns, the rods in each group being in parallel contiguous relation and in sumcient number both to effect an even distribution of pressure against the heel band and also completely to fill the cavity in the casing i88 except as will be hereinafter pointed out. Moreover, the angular relation between the rods of different groups corresponds to the angular relation of the respective portions of the surface of the upper on which they act, so that the rods act with substantially uniform directness about the entire heel end of the upper notwithstanding its curvature. These rods are held in the casing i658 by a cover plate Hi2 between which and the adjacent row of rods there is sufficient clearance to allow the rods to yield axially in response to pressure or" the heel band against their ends. The movement of the rods 53s and 5:38, which results from the movement of the casing 538 toward the last, is first yieldingly resisted and finally positively limited by a cushion its similar to the cushion H8 to the clamping pressure. 10

In order to control the degree of compression of the cushions I 45 when the pressing devices 84 and 88 are in their operative positions and hence to determine the pressure which is exerted by the rods I 38 and I58 against the heel band 24, the

cushions I45 are confined against displacement or expansion at the opposite sides thereof from the rods by plates Hi6 which can be adjusted toward and away from the heel band by means of set screws I48 threaded in the side walls of the I casings I36. It is apparent that the screws I48 may be so adjusted as to cause any degree of compression of each cushion 544, when the pressing device with which it is associated is in its operative position, up to the point when the cushion becomes virtually solid or rigid, and, accordingly, the pressure imparted to the heel band may be yielding to any desired degree or substantially positive. It will also be understood that as the pressing devices 84 and 86 are swung into their 0 operative positions those rods I38 and I48 which are nearer to the heel band will first be displaced relatively to the other rods, thereby compressing the portions of the cushions Me which the firstmentioned rods engage and tending to cause an increase of the pressure exerted by the cushions against the other rods and to urge them into engagement with the heel band. From the point when all of the rods engage the heel band until the pressing devices have reached their final po- 0 sitions there is little or no relative movement between the rods.

The two groups of rods I38 and I40, as illus trated in Fig. 5, are disposed at an angle to each other, as mentioned above, so that the rods of 5 each group extend as nearly as possible directly toward the portion of the upper opposite thereto, for the purpose of insuring uniformity in the pressure exerted against the heel band by the pressing devices notwithstanding its curvature. 50

The maintenance of the desired angular relation of the rods I38 and N58 is effected by structure, which will now be described, the use of which also obviates any interruption in the supporting surface for the heel band 25 afiorded by the ends of the rods H8 and M8 at the junction of these groups. As will be observed with reference to Fig. 6, rods in the odd numbered rows, counting from the bottom upwardly, have been deleted from the first three columns of the group I38. 60

This spacing and positioning of the rods I38 is maintained by a stepped abutment comprising a series of shims I58 which occupy the spaces between the c-ven numbered rows of rods and which are alined vertically between the bottom of the 5 casing E35 and the cover plate I82 by a rod I52. Rods in the first two columns in the group I48 adjacent to: the rods I38 are deleted from the even numbered rows counting upwardly to provide spaces in which are received the ends of the rods 7 38 in th odd numbered rows which extend between the shims 558. The positioning of the rods M8 in the two rows adjacent to the rods I38 is effected by the use of shims I54 each of which is placed between adjacent shims I58.

It will now be apparent that, notwithstanding the axial yielding movement of adjacent rods i355 and I40, the heel band is continuously supported at the junction of the two groups of these rods owing to their interfitting relation described above.

The operation of a machine embodying this invention will now be summarized. The toe rest 39 and the last pin 40 having been adjusted relatively to each other in a manner well known to an operator skilled in the use of a bed lasting machine of this type, so that the bottom of a shoe supported thereby will be at the proper height relatively to the lower surfaces of the wipers 26, the carriage I2 is moved bodily to the left (Fig. l) in the yoke i until the hooked end of the latch I4 engages the plate It so as to prevent separation of the carriage I2 and the support 44. If necessary, a final adjustment of the wipers relatively to the bottom of the heel end of the shoe may be effected at this stage by the use of the hand cranks and 30. The hand wheel 54 is then turned in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1) so as bodily to move the shoe toward the holder 22 to cause the rear end of the heel band closely to embrace the corresponding portion of the upper and last. Substantial force is thereby exerted against the heel end of the upper, which force may be adjusted for a given position of the hand wheel 54 by adjusting the position of the wedge member H8 which positions the support for the compressible cushion I II) in the heel-end pressing member. This pressure may be yielding and varied to any desired extent, depending upon the nature of the upper material and the ease or difficulty with which it is made to conform to the shape of the last. If it is desired definitely to limit the rearward movement of the shoe with regard to the wipers 26, the support H2 may also be so positioned that the cushion III] is rendered substantially rigid or solid when the shoe has been moved to the proper position relatively to the wipers 23. Such positioning of the shoe may also be effected by the abutment 96 which positively backs up the heel band 24 opposite to the back sea-m area of the upper. The

abutment 06 can be adjusted longitudinally of the shoe by turning the rod I 02 mounted in the shank 28 of the holder 22. Therefore, any desired adjustment of the resistance of the rods 92 and the extreme limit of their yielding movement may be determined by setting the wedge member H8 and the shaft I02; but preferably, and normally in the use of the illustrated machine, the abutment 96 is utilized to position the shoe and is so adjusted as to allow the shoe to be moved rearwardly into the desired position relatively to the path of the travel of the wipers 26. Then the support H2 is so adjusted by means of the wedge member I I8 as to cause the rods 92 toexert the requisite pressure against the heel band 24 to make the upper properly conform to the shape of the last, due regard being had to the resistance of the shoe materials to such action in determining how much pressure is necessary.

Usually, although not necessarily, most operators of machines of this type will next operate the wipers 28 barely across the corners of the last bottom partially to bend the marginal portions of the upper materials about the last corners preliminarily to the clamping of the heel band against the sides of the shoe upper and the wiping of the margin ofthe upper materials about the entire heel end of the last.

The supports I46 in the pressing devices 84 and 86 at the sides of the last having been properly adjusted so as to cause the required resistance to yielding movement of the rods I38 and I40, the operator will next press with his knee against a pad (not shown) at the front of the machine which actuates mechanism described above for causing the pressing devices 84 and 86 to swing toward the upper about the pins 83 and 85 as axes. As pressure is first exerted against the heel band by the rods I38 and I40, those rods which first engage the heel band are displaced inwardly of the casings I36, thereby compressing the cushions I44 which, being confined at all sides, behave similarly to a fluid and set up an increased pressure against the ends of the other rods, causing a rapid equalization in the pressure on the rods as well as a uniform distribution of their pressure over the entire area of the heel band which they engage. After this relative movement between the rods I38 and I40 has occurred, further movement of the pressing 20 devices 84 and 86 toward the upper causes the cushions I44 to be compressed over their entire areas engaged by the rods until the final positions of the pressing devices have been reached. The range of yielding movement of the rods I38 and I40 as well as the rods 92 in the pressing device opposite to the heel end face of the upper is or such an extent as to compensate for differences between the shapes of right and left lasts as well as lasts of the same style but of different sizes, so as to avoid the necessity for interchanging operating instrumentalities except when shoes of widely varying characteristics are operated upon. Since the rods I38 and I and also the rods 92 are arranged in columns extending heightwise substantially from the edge of the last bottom to the top edge of the upper, insurance is afforded that the upper will be pressed into conformity to the shape of the last not only adjacent to the edge of the last bottom but also substantially 4 throughout its height. Moreover, by adjusting the screws I48 so as to provide varying degrees of yielding or even positive pressure against the rods I38 and I40, any desired amount of pressure can be applied to the upper to prevent the last from being displaced from its proper position by the action of the wipers or to prevent the wipers from pulling the marginal portions of the upper materials about the last corner to an excessive extent which would cause the curvature of the 50 top edge of the upper to be distorted. At the completion of the operation of the wipers referred to above and after the lasted upper has been secured to the last bottom by the usual row of lasting tacks, the wipers may be withdrawn from the upper, the pressing devices 84 and 86 separated from each other, and the holder 22 separated from the shoe support 44 to facilitate the substitution of a shoe to be lasted for that already operated upon.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, means for pressing an upper into conformity to the contour of the form, said means having a plurality of elements the ends of which form a pressing surface extending continuously about the end of the upper heightwise and longitudinally thereof, said pressing elements being arranged in series heightwise and longitudinally of the form and mounted for movement relatively to one another in directions extending directly toward and away from the respective portions of the upper opposite thereto, and means for relatively moving said pressing means and support toward each other thereby to cause said elements to be moved into conformity to the shape of the form and to press the upper against the form.

2. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, means for pressing an upper on the form into conformity to the contour thereof, said means comprising a plurality of slides mounted in contiguous relation to each other for yielding movement substantially directly toward and away from the respective portions of the upper opposite thereto, and means for relatively moving said support and pressing means toward each other parallel to the bottom of the form thereby to cause said slides to yield so that their ends form a stepped pressing surface shaped in conformity to the contour of the upper on the form.

3. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, means for pressing an upper into conformity to the contour of the form, said means comprising a plurality of elongated members in contiguous relation to each other and mounted yieldingly to slide in directions substantially parallel to the bottom of the form toward and away therefrom, and means for relatively moving said support and pressing means toward each other thereby to cause said elongated members to be moved so that their ends adjacent to the form define a stepped pressing surface shaped in conformity to the contour of the portion of the form opposite thereto.

4. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, means for pressing an upper against said form comprising a plurality of elements in contiguous relation to each other and mounted for movement toward and away from the form in directions substantially parallel to the bottom of the form, the ends of said elements forming a stepped pressing surface extending continuously about an end of the upper heightwise and longitudinally thereof, and means for relatively moving said pressing means and support toward each other thereby to cause said stepped surface to conform to the shape of the portion of the form opposite thereto and to press the upper against the form.

5. In a shoe machine, in combination, a support for an upper-shaping form, means for pressing an upper into conformity to the contour of the form, said means having a plurality of elements the ends of which form a pressing surface extending about an end of the upper from one side to the other and from substantially the bottom edge of the form to the top edge of the upper heightwise thereof, said pressing elements being mounted for movement relatively to each other in directions extending directly toward and away from the respective portions of the upper opposite thereto, means for relatively moving said pressing means and support toward each other thereby to cause said elements to be moved into conformity to the shape of the form, and wipers for wiping the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the bottom of the form.

6. In a shoe machine, in combination, a support for an upper-shaping form, means for pressing an upper on the form into conformity to the contour thereof, said means comprising a plurality of members mounted in contiguous relation to each other and yieldingly to slide in directions extending substantially directly toward and away from the respective portions of the upper opposite thereto, said support and pressing means being relatively movable toward each other parallel to the bottom of the form thereby to cause said slides to yield so that their ends form a stepped pressing surface shaped in conformity to the contour of the form, and means for wiping the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the bottom of the form.

'7. In a shoe machine, in combination, a support for an upper-shaping form, means for pressing an upper into conformity to the contour of the form, said means comprising a plurality of slides arranged in series heightwise and longitudinally of the form and mounted to yield relatively to each other in directions parallel to the bottom of the form so that their ends form a stepped pressing surface shaped in conformity to the contour of the form, and wipers for wiping the marginal portion of an upper on the form inwardly over its bottom.

8. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the marginal portion of an upper on the form inwardly over its bottom, means for pressing the upper against the form in conformity to the contour thereof comprising pressing elements mounted for yielding movement in response to pressure imparted thereto from the form, means for resisting said yielding movement of the pressing elements, and means for adjustably positioning said last-mentioned means thereby to control the relative positions of the form and said wipers when pressure is applied to the upper.

9. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the marginal portion of an upper on the form inwardly over its bottom, upper-pressing means comprising a plurality of elements for pressing the upper into conformity to the shape of the surface of the form, a compressible cushion against the resistance of which said elements yield relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted toward them by the form, said pressing means and form being mounted for relative movement toward each other to cause said elements to yield relatively to each other into conformity to the shape of the form, and means for positioning said cushion so that it is rendered substantially solid or rigid at the end of said relative movement of the pressing means and form whereby the latter is substantially rigidly positioned with respect to the travel of said wipers.

10. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, means for pressing an upper on said form into conformity to the shape thereof comprising elements movable relatively to each other longitudinally of the form into conformity to the shape of the heel end portion of the form in response to pressure between said form and pressing means, and a pressing device at each side of said form mounted for movement laterally thereof, each of said last-mentioned pressing devices having a plurality of elements mounted for movement relatively to each other laterally of the form into conformity to the contour of the side portion of the upper extending toward the shank from the area at the end acted upon by said first mentioned elements.

11. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, upper-pressing means, said support and pressing means being relatively movable toward each other to cause an upper on said form to be pressed into conformity to the shape of the form, said pressing means comp-rising elements disposed opposite to the heel end of the form and mounted for movement independently of each other longitudinally of the form in response to pressure of the form thereon, and a pressing device at each side of the form mounted for movement laterally toward the form and away therefrom, each pressing device having a plurality of elements mounted for movement independently of each other laterally of the form into conformity to the shape of the side of the heel portion of the upper extending forwardly thereof from the area acted upon by said firstmentioned pressing member.

12. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, means for pressing an upper on said form into conformity to the shape thereof comprising a pressing device having elements movable relatively to each other longitudinally of the form into conformity to a part of the heel portion of said form in response to pressure therebetween, and a pressing device at each side of said form mounted to swing toward the form and away therefrom, each of said last-mentioned pressing devices having a plurality of elements mounted for movement relatively to each other laterally of the form into conformity to the side of the heel portion of the upper extending forwardly thereof from the area acted upon by said first-mentioned device.

13. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, and means for pressing an upper against the form comprising a plurality of press ing devices, each device having slides in contiguous relation to each other and a holder for said slides in which the latter are arranged to. yield independently of each other in directions parallel to the bottom of the form in response to pressure exerted by the form against the slides, said support being mounted for movement longitudinally of the form toward and away from one of said devices to apply pressure to the end of the form, the other devices being mounted one at each side of the form to swing laterally thereof to apply pressure to the side portions of the upper extending toward the shank thereof from the area acted upon by the first-mentioned device.

14. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, and means for pressing an upper against said form comprising a plurality of devices, each device having slides in contiguous relation to each other and mounted to yield in response to pressure exerted thereagainst by said form in directions parallel to the bottom of the form, one of said devices and said support being relatively movable longitudinally of the form to apply pressure to the heel end of the upper, another of said devices and said support being relatively movable laterallyof the form to supply pressure to a side of the upper from the area acted upon by the first-mentioned device toward the shank portion of the upper.

15. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, and means for pressing an upper against said form comprising a plurality of pressing devices, each device having a plurality of members mounted in contiguousrelation to each other and a holder for said members in which said members are arranged to yield in directions parallel to the bottom of the form in response to pressure between the form and said members, one of said devices and said form, being relatively movable to apply pressure to the heel end of the upper on the form, and the other devices being mounted on said last-mentioned device for movement toward and away from the form so' as to apply pressure at each side of the form from the area acted upon by the device opposite the end of the form toward the shank portion thereof.

16. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper shaping form, and means for pressing an upper against said form comprising a plurality of pressing devices, each device having a plurality of members mounted in contiguous relation toeach other and a holder for said members in which said members are arranged to yield in directions parallel to the bottom of the form in response to pressure between the form and said members, one of said devices and said form being relatively movable to apply pressure to an end of the form, and the other devices being mounted on said last-"mentioned device to swing laterally of the form about axes so situated that the ends of the said members of the pressing devices form a substantially continuous pressing surface extending about the end of the form from one side to the other when said devices are in their pressing positions.

17. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, and means for pressing an upper against said form comprising groups of pressing elements the end of which are directed toward the upper, the elements of each group being arranged in parallel contiguous relation to' each other but at an angle to the elements of an adjacent group, and the elements at the adjacent sides of successive groups being arranged in interfitting relation thereby to afford a continuous pressing surface at the junction of said groups.

18. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, and means for pressing an upper against said form comprising groups of slides, the slides of each group being arranged in parallel contiguous relation to each other and in rows parallel to the bottom of the form, said slides also being arranged in columns extending heightwise of the form, the columns of each group being parallel to each other but at an angle to the columns of an adjacent group, alternate slides in adjacent columns of each of said groups being deleted thereby to receive the remaining slides of the deleted column of the other group.

19. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, means for pressing an upper against said form comprising a plurality of groups of pressing elements the ends of which form a substantially continuous stepped surface extending about an end of the upper heightwise and longitudinally thereof, the elements of each group being disposed in parallel contiguous relation to each other but at an angle to the elements of an adjacent group corresponding to the angular relation between the respective portions of the surface of the upper acted upon by said groups, and means for relatively moving said pressing means and support toward each other to cause said elements to be moved into conformity to the shape of the form and to press the upper against the form.

20. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, and means for pressing an upper against said form comprising groups of slides the ends of which are directed toward the upper, the slides of each group being mounted in parallel contiguous relation to each other in rows parallel to the bottom of the form and and in columns extending heightwise thereof, the columns in successive groups converging toward the upper, successive slides of contiguous columns of adjacent groups being separated by slides in the other group at their ends adjacent to the upper thereby to provide an uninterrupted area of slide ends at the junction of said groups.

21. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper-shaping form, and means for pressing an upper against said form comprising contiguous parallel slides in groups, the slides of different groups converging toward the upper, the slides in each group being arranged in perpendicular rows and columns, alternate slides in adjacent columns of each of said groups being omitted thereby to receive the ends of the remaining slides of the deleted column of the other group.

22. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper-shaping form, means for pressing an upper against said form comprising elements mounted in parallel contiguous relation to each other in groups and a holder in which said elements are mounted to yield in directions parallel to the bottom of the form in response to pressure ex-' erted thereby, said holder being arranged to maintain an angular relation between the elements of different groups corresponding to the angular relation of the respective portions of the surface of the upper upon which they act, and means against the resistance of which said elements yield in response to pressure of the upper thereon.

23. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper-shaping form, means for pressing an upper against said form comprising a plurality of slides the ends of which are directed toward the upper and a holder in which said slides are mounted to yield in response to pressure of the upper thereon, a compressible cushion for resisting the yield of said slides, and a stepped abutment in said holder arranged to divide said slides into groups, the slides at the adjacent sides of said groups being arranged in interfitting relation thereby to afiord a continuous pressing surface at the junction of said groups.

24. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper-shaping form, means for pressing an upper against said form comprising groups of pressing elements arranged in parallel contiguous relation to each other, the ends of which elements are directed toward the upper and form a stepped pressing surface extending about the heel portion of the upper heightwise and longitudinally thereof, elements at adjacent sides of each of said groups being deleted so as to receive the remaining elements at the adjacent side of the other group thereby to afford a continuous pressing surface at the junction of said groups.

25. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper-shaping form, pressing means, means for relatively moving said form and pressing means toward each other into pressing relation to cause pressure to be exerted on said upper by the pressing means, said pressing means comprising pressing elements mounted for movement relatively to each other in response to pressure imparted thereto by the upper, means for resisting movement of said pressing elements, and means for adjustably positioning said last-mentioned means thereby to control the pressure between the upper and pressing means when they are in their operative relation.

26. In a shoe machine, upper-pressing means comprising a plurality of elements for pressing an upper into conformity to the shape of the lateral surface of aform, compressible means against the resistance of which said elements yield relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted toward them by said form, said pressing means and form being mounted for relative movement toward each other to cause said elements successively to yield relatively to each other into conformity to the shape of said form and then to be urged with equal pressures toward said form, and means for positioning said compressible means so that it is substantially incompressible at the end of the said relative 5 movement of said pressing means and said form.

27. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper-shaping form, upper-pressing means comprising a plurality of elements arranged in series heightwise of the form and mounted for sliding 1o movement relatively to each other in directions substantially parallel to the bottom of the form,

a holder in which said elements are mounted, and

a compressible cushion confined within said holder against the resistance of which said elements 5 yield in response to pressure exerted toward them by the upper.

28. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper-shaping form, upper-pressing means, said support and pressing means being mounted for 20 movement relatively toward each other parallel to the bottom of the form to cause an upper on the form to be pressed thereagainst, said pressing means comprising a plurality of members mounted in contiguous relation to each other and 25 to yield in response to pressure exerted thereon by the upper, a compressible cushion for yieldingly resisting the initial relative movement of said members, and means for positioning said cushion whereby it is rendered substantally solid 30 by the displacement of said yielding members when said form and pressing means are in their operative relation.

29. In a shoe machine, a support for an upper-shaping form, a plurality of rods mounted 35 to slide in contact with each other in directions substantially normal to the surface of the upper opposite to their ends, a holder for said rods, means for effecting relative movement of said support and holder parallel to the bottom of the form to cause said rods to yield into conformity to the shape of the form, and means confined within said holder against the resistance of which said rods are relatively moved Within the holder in response to pressure exerted thereagainst.

30. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, means for pressing an upper on said form thereagainst comprising a plurality of rods arranged in contiguous relation to each other,

a holder in which said rods are mounted to slide 50 in directions parallel to the bottom of the form, means for effecting relative movement of said support and holder to cause said rods to slide relatively to each other into conformity to the shape of the form opposite to their ends, and 5 means in said holder for yieldingly resisting movement of the rods therein.

31. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, upper-pressing means, said support and pressing means being mounted for movement relatively toward each other into operative relation to cause an upper on the form to be pressed thereagainst, said pressing means comprising a plurality of members mounted in con tiguous relation to each other and to yield relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted by the upper thereon, a sponge rubber cushion for yieldingly resisting the movement of said members relatively to each other into conformity to the shape of the form, and means for positioning said cushion whereby the latter is compressed substantially to a rigid state when said form and pressing means are moved into their operative. relation.

32. In a shoe machine, a. heel band for embrao- 75'- ing the heel end of an upper on a form, means for pressing the heel band against the upper comprising pressing devices mounted at opposite sides of said form for movement toward and away therefrom, each of said devices having elements arranged to engage the heel band and mounted for movement independently of each other in response to the pressure exerted against the upper, and a sponge-rubber cushion against the resistance of which said pressing elements yield as said devices are moved toward the form into pressing relation thereto.

33. In a shoe machine, in combination, a heel band for embracing an upper around the heel end of a form, and means for causing the heel band to press the upper into conformity to the shape of the form comprising a plurality of elements in contiguous relation to each other and mounted for yielding movement toward and away from the heel band in directions substantially parallel to the bottom of the form, the ends of said elements being directed toward the heel band and. forming a stepped pressing surface extending continuously about it heightwise and longitudinally thereof, said pressing means and form being relatively movable toward each other to cause said stepped surface to conform to the shape of the surface of the heel band which it engages and to cause the heel band to press the upper against the form.

34. In a shoe machine, in combination, a heel band for embracing the heel end of an upper upon a form, means for pressing said heel band against the upper comprising a plurality of slides arranged in series heightwise of the form and mounted in parallel contiguous relation to each other for yielding movement substantially directly toward and away from the respective portions of the heel band engaged thereby, and means for relatively moving said form and pressing means toward each other to cause said slides to yield so that their ends form a stepped pressing surface shaped in conformity to the outer contour of the heel band.

35. In a shoe machine, a heel band for embracing the heel end of an upper on a form, means for pressing the heel band against the upper to shape the upper to the form comprising a pressing device having pressing elements movable relatively to each other longitudinally of the form into conformity to the shape of the outer surface of the heel band in response to pressure exerted against the heel band by the upper, one of said elements being constructed and arranged 'to position the heel end of the heel band heightwise of said form, pressing devices at the sides of said form mounted for movement laterally thereof into engagement with the sides of the heel band extending toward the shank of the upper from the area engaged by said first-mentioned pressing device, and connections between the ends of said heel band and said pressing devices at the sides of said form for positioning the ends of the heel band heightwise of said form.

36. In a shoe machine, in combination, a flexible member arranged to engage an unlasted portion of an upper on a form for pressing the upper into conformity to the contour of the form, means for pressing said flexible member against the upper comprising a plurality of elements mounted for movement relatively to each other indirections substantially parallel to the bottom of the form, a holder for supporting said member and said elementssaid holder and form being mounted for relative movement to cause said pressing elements to press the flexible member against the upper, and a rubber cushion confined within said holder against the resistance of which said elements yield in response to pressure exerted toward them by said flexible member.

I 37. In a shoe machine, in combination, a heel band for embracing the unlasted heel end of an upper on a form, means for pressing the heel band against the upper comprising a plurality of rods arranged in contiguous relation to each other, a holder in which said rods are mounted to slide in directions extending directly toward and away from the portion of the heel band engaged thereby, means for effecting relative movement of said form and holder toward each other to cause said rods to slide relatively to each other so that their ends present to said heel band a pressing surface shaped in conformity to the contour of its outer surface, and means confined within said holder for yieldingly resisting said relative movement of said rods.

38. In a shoe machine, a heel band for embracing the heel end of an upper on a form, means for pressing said heel hand against the upper comprising a plurality of slides in parallel contiguous relation to each other and mounted to yield relatively to one another in response to pressure of the heel band in directions parallel to the bottom of the form, and means constructed and arranged to resist yieldingly relative movement of said slides and then rigidly to support them against the pressure of said heel band.

39. In a shoe machine, a heel band for embracing the heel end of an upper on a form, a device for pressing said heel band against the upper to make it conform to the shape of the form comprising a plurality of slides mounted in parallel contiguous relation to each other and a holder for said slides within which they are adapted to be displaced relatively into conformity to the shape of the heel band in response to pressure thereof, said form and device being relatively movable toward each other to cause said slides to exert pressure against the heel band, and yielding means confined within said holder and arranged yieldingly to resist relative movement of said slides and said displacement of the slides within the holder until the pressing device and the form have been moved relatively to their pressing relation.

40. In a shoe machine, in combination, a heel band for embracing the heel end of an upper on a form, means for pressing said heel band against the upper comprising a plurality of pressing elements mounted for movements in directions extending directly toward and away from the respective portions of the heel band engaged thereby, compressible means against the resistance of which said elements yield relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted toward them by said heel band, said pressing means and form being mounted for relative movementtoward each other to cause said elements to yield relatively to each other into conformity to the contour of the outer surface of the heel band which they engage and then to be urged with equal pressures against said heel band, and means for positioning said compressible means so that it is substantially incompressible at the end of said relative movement of said pressing means and said form.

41. In a shoe machine, a heel band for embracing an upper around the heel end of a last, means for pressing said heel band against the upper, said last and pressing means being mounted for relative movement toward each other into pressing relation to cause the upper on the last to be pressed into conformity to the shape thereof, said ,ressing means comprising a plurality of heelband-engaging members mounted to yield relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted thereagainst by the heel band, a rubber cushion for yieldingly resisting movement of said members relatively to each other, and means for adjustably positioning said rubber cushion whereby the latter is compressed substantially to a rigid state when said last and pressing means are moved relatively into their pressing relation.

42. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the marginal portion of an upper on the form inwardly over its bottom, and upper-pressing means for holding the upper against the form at an end and the sides adjacent thereto, said pressing means and support being movable relatively toward each other to cause pressure to be exerted against the upper, said pressing means comprising members mounted for yielding movement relatively to each other in response to pressure of the upper thereon so that their ends adjacent to the upper form a stepped pressing surface shaped in conformity to the contour of the upper opposite thereto, one of said members being disposed in predetermined relation to the wipers for limiting the relative movement of the form and wipers toward each other thereby to position the upper with respect to the field of action of the wipers.

4-3. In a shoe machine, the combination with wipers for wiping the margin of the heel end of an upper inwardly over a form, of upper-pressing means comprising a plurality of members for pressing the heel end of the upper against the form, one of said members being constructed and arranged positively to resist opposite to the back seam area of the upper movement of the form toward the wipers, the other said members being mounted and arranged at each side of the lastmentioned member to yield in conformity to the contour of the heel end of the upper in response to pressure exerted by the upper thereon.

44. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the marginal portion of an upper on the form inwardly over its bottom, and upper-pressing means, said support and pressing means being movable relatively toward each other to cause the upper to be pressed into conformity to the contour of the form, said pressing means comprising members mounted to yield relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted thereagainst by said upper, one of said members being constructed and arranged positively to limit the relative movement of the support and pressing means toward each other.

45. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the margin of the heel end of an upper inwardly over the bottom of the form, and upper-pressing means comprising a plurality of yielding members mounted for movement independently of each other longitudinally of the form, said support and pressing means being mounted for relative movement toward each other to cause said yielding members to press the upper against the form, one of said members being disposed opposite to the back seam area of the upper and constructed and arranged positively to limit the said relative movement of the support and pressing means with respect to the wipers.

is. In a shoe machine, the combination with Wipers for wiping the margin of the heel end of an upper inwardly over a form, of upper-pressing means comprising a member mounted for adjustment with respect to the wipers longitudinally of the form and yielding pressing elements mounted for movement relatively to each other 5 into conformity to the contour of the heel end of the upper, and means against the resistance of which said yielding elements are thus relatively moved, said last-mentioned means being mounted and arranged rigidly to resist further movement of said yielding members when pressure of the upper is received by said adjustable member.

47. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the marginal portion of an upper on the form inwardly over its bottom, means for pressing the upper into conformity to the contour of the form comprising a plurality of members mounted yieldingly to slide relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted toward them by the upper, one of said members being constructed and arranged positively to limit movement of the form toward the wipers, and means for adjusting the position of said last mentioned member thereby variably to limit the movement of the form toward said wipers.

48. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the marginal portion of an upper on the form inwardly over its bottom, means for pressing the upper against the form comprising a plurality of members mounted for yielding movement relatively to each other in response to pressure of the upper thereon so that their ends adjacent to the upper form a pressing surface shaped in conformity to the contour of the upper opposite thereto, and means for adjustably positioning one of said members with reference to the wipers thereby definitely to position the form with respect to the travel of the wipers.

49. In a shoe machine, a support for an uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the marginal portion of an upper on the form inwardly over its bottom, means for pressing the upper against said form comprising slides in parallel contiguous re-' lation to each other and mounted to yield lengthso wise of the form in response to pressure exerted thereagainst by the upper, an abutment associated with said slides for limiting movement of said form and wipers relatively to each other, and means for adjusting said abutment in the direction of the yielding movement of said slides.

50. In a shoe machine, a heel band for embracing the heel end of an upper'on a form, wipers for wiping the marginal portion of the upper on the form inwardly over its bottom, means for pressing said heel band against the upper comprising a plurality of members mounted to yield relatively to each other in response to pressure exerted thereagainst by said heel band into conformity to the contour of its outer surface, one of said members being arranged positively to resist movement of the form toward the wipers by engagement with said heel band opposite to the back seam area of the upper, and means for adjustably positioning said last-mentioned memher variably to limit the movement of the form toward said wipers.

51. In a shoe machine, Wipers for wiping the margin of the heel end of an upper inwardly over a form, upper-pressing means comprising members mounted for movement relatively to each other in conformity to the contour of the heel end of the upper in response to pressure exerted by said form toward said members, one of said members being constructed and arranged positively 76 to resist the pressure of the upper thereby to'limit movement of the form longitudinally thereof to ward the wipers, and means against the resistance of which the others of said members yield in re-,- spouse to pressure exerted toward them by-the;

upper 52. In a shoe machine, a support for an-uppershaping form, wipers for wiping the margin of the heel end of an upper inwardly over the form, means for pressing the heel end of the upper against the form comprising an abutment mounted opposite to the rearmost portion of the upper,

the relativemovement of said abutment and said 10 yielding elements;

FRED N. LA CHAPELLE. 

